Detectives said yesterday they have a duty to investigate 'where we believe an offence might have been committed' and experts claimed the Clarkson, 54, may be charged with actual bodily harm for his punch-up earlier this month.

Tymon's lawyer, Paul Daniels, today issued a statement in which he said: 'Mr Tymon has informed the police that he doesn't want to press charges.

'The events of the last few weeks have been extremely unpleasant for everyone involved. The matter has taken a great toll on Oisin, his family and his friends.

'Quite simply, Mr Tymon just wishes to return now to the job at the BBC he loves, as soon as possible. Further, the BBC have, in his view, taken action with a view to addressing the issues at hand.

'Mr Tymon agrees with the BBC's stated view that all parties should now be allowed to move on, so far as possible.

Police could still pursue the case even though the producer refuses to complain about being punched, but this is now highly unlikely.

The force said it was investigating after complaints from 'concerned members of the public' because 'no-one at the hotel during the incident came forward,' a spokesman said.

Today it said it is is still investigating the incident and 'inquiries are ongoing.'

Former Scotland Yard chief inspector Peter Kirkham believes Clarkson, if arrested, could have been charged with ABH or common assault, which has a maximum sentence of six months in prison.

Night out: Clarkson and Ms Sage walk out of the west London mansion as they headed home from Ms Goldsmith's party at around 1am yesterday

Meeting: Clarkson was spotted getting on his bike in west London yesterday following a secret talk with co-star James May, right, and Top Gear executive producer Andy Wilman. The trio are said to be planning their next move

Mr Tymon has faced a barrage of abuse online, where trolls threatened him and his family over the incident.

But the BBC said that he was an innocent party in the 30-second attack at a North Yorkshire hotel after Clarkson he would be offered a plate of cold cuts rather than a hot steak'.

Yesterday the presenter, who is said to have apologised to Mr Tymon by text and in person, said: 'All I would like to say is, I wish people would leave Oisin alone because none of this was his fault.'

But columnist and former Apprentice candidate Katie Hopkins said: 'Oisin Tymon will now need a security detail to move about with any safety.

'That was your choice, mate. You could have squared this away like a lad but you chose to sit crying in A&E.'

The 54-year-old star had dinner and drinks with close friends at the aristocrat's west London mansion.

Girlfriend Phillipa Sage, chef Heston Blumenthal, comedian Angus Deayton and Boris Johnson's journalist sister Rachel joined him to drown his sorrows - but his Top Gear co-stars James May and Richard Hammond were not there.

Clarkson looked grim-faced as he was hugged outside, leaving for home at around 1am with Ms Sage and Ms Johnson.

The sacked presenter has been close friends with Ms Goldsmith, previously known as Khan because of her marriage to former Pakistan cricket captain Imran Khan, for many years.

The police investigation is unlikely to put off suitors because he would be worth an extra £20million per year to commercial broadcasters, experts said.

His sacking could cost the BBC up to £67million a year, the amount it makes selling the show in more than 200 countries and add-ons like live shows and magazine sales.

DIY SOS star Nick Knowles may be in the driving seat to be the next presenter of Top Gear because the BBC believe he is a 'safe pair of hands'.

There is now a bidding war for Clarkson's services, who is likely to take Richard Hammond and James May with him, but despite Rupert Murdoch calling his sacking 'stupid' it appears Sky will not take him on.

'Package': James May, pictured yesterday, and Richard Hammond have both hinted that Clarkson's sacking is likely to mean the end of their BBC careers. May said yesterday that the trio 'come as a package'

James May said yesterday: 'I can't see Jeremy Clarkson having very many serious problems in his working life in the long run. He's extremely good at what he does.'

THE BBC MONEY-SPINNER: HOW TOP GEAR MAKES THEM £67M A YEAR

The BBC could lose as much as £67million a year now Top Gear presenter Jeremy Clarkson has been sacked.

The star helped relaunch the ailing show in 2002, turning it into a worldwide hit.

Now the corporation's commercial arm rakes in an estimated £50million a year from selling the rights to Top Gear overseas, with the show watched in 214 countries around the world.

On top of that, BBC Worldwide makes millions more from Top Gear Magazine and live shows in the UK and abroad, as well as sales of DVDs.

The BBC could lose tens of millions of pounds in annual profit after giving Clarkson his marching orders, with the sale of the show overseas making £50million alone.

Top Gear Magazine has a global circulation of 1.7 million, bringing in another estimated £7.4million - not including profit from advertising, as well as the costs of producing and shipping the magazine.

The motoring programme was also set to make around £7.35million in sales of tickets to its 14 live shows in the UK this year.

The BBC's loss could be another broadcaster's gain, with rivals Sky, ITV and Netflix all set to compete for Clarkson's signature.

Sky are said to have pulled out of the race to sign the star, 54, for a new driving show because bosses fear he is no longer family friendly.

Yesterday afternoon Clarkson was spotted riding his bike near his west London home following a secret meeting with co-star James May and Top Gear boss Andy Wilman.

The presenter was seen being dropped back to his bicycle by Mr Wilman, as James May laughed in the passenger seat. It is not yet known where the trio met exactly, but it is likely they were plotting their next career move.

It came as his final piece in Top Gear magazine was published, which said making a rival show 'isn't hard'.

In an article written before his sacking the star, who is likely mulling over ideas for a new motoring show, told unhappy viewers to 'get off your a*** and help yourself'.

He added that without Top Gear's financial success the BBC would show 'the test card from midnight till dawn.'

A Sky senior source told RadioTimes.com that the broadcaster was 'not interested' in signing him, adding: 'We couldn't put Jeremy Clarkson on any Sky channels, especially those which are part of a family package deal and then face another controversy round the corner'.

But it may be Netflix – which has a £3.4billion programming budget – who may be best placed to woo Clarkson.

Industry insiders believe that he would be give him complete control of any new Top Gear-inspired show.

The online subscription video service does not depend on advertising income, so would allow him free rein to make controversial remarks about cars, without the risk of offending customers.

Clarkson, who is worth £30million, could make much more money than from his previous BBC deal.

Wikipedia founder Jimmy Wales, tweeted last week: 'Jeremy Clarkson will start his own show syndicated worldwide and own the rights and make a billion dollars. You heard it here first.'

Sources have told MailOnline that ITV are prepared to offer him £10million to sign for them, with Clarkson's executive producer and schoolfriend Andy Wilman having reportedly met with them.

FRACAS: BOOZING, 40-MINUTE TIRADE AND A FAT LIP FOR THE PRODUCER

Victim: Top Gear producer Oisin Tymon

The unsavoury incident unfolded earlier this month when Jeremy Clarkson and his fellow Top Gear presenters Richard Hammond and James May belatedly arrived at a luxury hotel following a drinking session.

The presenters were scheduled to arrive at Simonstone Hall Hotel in the Yorkshire Dales at 8pm after travelling by helicopter following a day of filming at the programme's studios in Dunsfold, Surrey.

But the trio ignored the pre-arranged plan and kept the helicopter waiting as they went to a local pub close to the studio for two hours.

They eventually arrived at the four-star hotel, where more than ten rooms were booked at a cost of £5,760, after 10pm.

Most of the production team had already gone to bed but Oisin Tymon stayed up to greet the group.

Fury because the chef's left

After being told the hotel's dinner service had ended and that the chef had gone home, the presenters were offered a cheese or meat platter, soup or a bar snack.

An irate Clarkson, who was said to have been drinking rosé wine, became incensed at the offer and ranted that it was 'ridiculous there was nothing to eat'.

Perched at the hotel's bar, he shouted: 'He's f****** gone' as people tried to calm him down. His co-stars and other guests looked on in disbelief as he began to vent his anger at Mr Tymon, who he blamed for not organising a hot supper. The presenter used a multitude of expletives as he demanded a £21.95 8oz steak from the hotel's menu.

He was eventually served a steak and peppercorn sandwich in a private room after the hotel's general manager Robert Scott agreed to cook a late-night dinner for the trio of presenters.

Abuse ... and a vicious attack

A small group of the Top Gear crew moved to a patio area located at the rear of the hotel, used by smokers and guests enjoying the stunning scenery.

The enraged presenter continued his verbal tirade towards the producer, using the 'strongest expletives' as he threatened to sack him over the supposed mistake.

After allegedly calling the producer a 'lazy Irish c***', Clarkson launched an extraordinary attack on Mr Tymon. During the sustained outburst, he punched the producer, leaving him with a split lip and blood running down his face.

Despite being assaulted for 30 seconds Mr Tymon did not retaliate and the attack was only stopped when a witness intervened.

The 'fracas' occurred at Simonstone Hall Hotel in the Yorkshire Dales (pictured) following a day out filming

The outbursts continue

Clarkson returned to the hotel where he continued his loud and aggressive rant over a sustained period.

He continued to direct his derogatory insults at Mr Tymon, before aiming his vitriol at other members of the Top Gear crew who had joined the group.

His frequent outbursts – said to have lasted 40 minutes from start to finish - were so loud that guests in one of the hotel's bedrooms and in an adjoining dining room could hear the stream of abuse. The victim made a 70-minute journey to the Friarage Hospital in Northallerton, where he received treatment for a swollen lip and dizziness.

Attempts to apologise

Clarkson made numerous attempts to apologise to Mr Tymon, who was convinced he had lost his job, both in person and by text message and email.

When the crew left the hotel three days later Clarkson told one member of staff: 'It's been really pleasant, apart from the obvious.'

Production coordinator Emma Lawrence wrote in the hotel's guestbook that the team had had a 'wonderful, friendly and extremely accommodating stay'. Clarkson eventually referred himself to BBC management.

Pictures of Top Gear stars in boats reveals scenes that fans may now never see on the screen

Footage that Top Gear fans may never see on the BBC emerged today because Jeremy Clarkson was thrown off the show.

The BBC presenter was sacked by the channel on Wednesday after an internal investigation found he punched a producer in the face during filming for series 22.

In December last year, Clarkson, Richard Hammond and James May brought an unusual brand of their usual motor mayhem to a sleepy Kent village.

Turning their backs on cars and opting for boats and sail boards instead, the trio descended on Chipstead Lake, Sevenoaks, to film.

On the water: Previously unseen pictures show the Top Gear team, James May and Richard Hammond on the water and Jeremy Clarkson being filmed in Kent in D|ecember

Chat: Mr Clarkson appears to have a wet right food while talking to a member of the Top Gear team whole James May enjoys a cigarette while Richard Hammond prepares to go back in the water

The usually tranquil waters of the one-time gravel pit - popular with dinghy sailors, birdwatchers and walkers - were rocked by an army of camera crews, directors and producers.

Hammond even did away with his motor to get to Chipstead, choosing to arrive at the recreation ground in a helicopter.

Locals were sworn to secrecy but it would seem the village's five minutes of fame could now be a victim of Clarkson's fracas.

Photographer Lewis Durham said that, with the exception of an attempt to tow a boat with a small 4x4, the team ditched their motors and spent most of the day on the water.

He said: "James May had a spell in a dinghy and capsized. I'm pretty sure it wasn't a stunt, I think he went over for real.

Sailing trip: Mr May, who appears likely to be leaving the BBC, looked like he had sailed before

Overboard: But in this photograph it appears he lost control of his dinghy, which capsized

'He wasn't in any danger - there were safety boats and RIBs (rigid inflatable boats) with production crews buzzing around all the time.

'I'm pretty sure they were filming a challenge because I saw a man in a white coat hand Clarkson a gold envelope.

'I've been covering sailing events on this lake for years - from dragon boat racing to the sailing club's annual children's summer camp - but I've never see anything like this."

Top Gear is said to be the most widely-watched factual TV programme in the world, with an estimated 350 million viewers in 170 different countries tuning in each week.

But the final three shows of the series are now unlikely to be seen after Clarkson's sacking.